Demo abstract: AutoPlug — An automotive test-bed for ECU testing, validation and verification

In 2010, over 20.3 million vehicles were recalled. Software issues related to automotive controls such as to cruise control, anti-lock braking system, traction control and stability control, account for an increasingly large percentage of the overall vehicles recalled. We have developed AutoPlug, an automotive Electronic Controller Unit (ECU) test-bed to diagnose, test, validate and verify controls software. AutoPlug consists of multiple ECUs interconnected by a CAN bus, a race car driving simulator which behaves as the plant model and a vehicle safety and performance monitor in Matlab. As the ECUs drive the simulated vehicle, the physics-based simulation provides feedback to the controllers in terms of acceleration, yaw, friction and vehicle stability. This closed-loop platform is then used to evaluate multiple vehicle control software modules such as traction, stability and cruise control. With this test-bed we are aim to develop ECU software diagnosis and testing to evaluate the effect on the stability and performance of the vehicle. Code updates can be executed via a smart phone so drivers may remotely “patch” their vehicle. We will demonstrate a functioning closed-loop automotive test-bed to show the capabilities and challenges of remote code updates for vehicle recalls management.